Stars Find Stroke, Defeat 15U National Team

CARY, N.C. - On the final day of the USA Baseball 16U National Team Development Program, the Stars squad took down the 15U National Team, 11-3, in an exhibition matchup at Coleman Field on Tuesday.

The offense exploded for 13 hits in the contest behind strong pitching performances from the entire staff, handing Team USA their first loss in three games.

Roc Riggio and Hunter Haas led off the top of the first with back-to-back singles before Dylan Crews smashed a ball to short to score the first run. Marcelo Mayer followed with a ground ball that was misplayed at second to cross Haas, and Ian Moller drove in Crews on a sacrifice fly to put the Stars up 3-0 early.

Stars starter Grant Taylor kept the momentum going, striking out the side in the second.

In the second, Christian Moore walked to start the inning, and Evan Maldonado singled to advance him to third. A wild pitch allowed Moore to score, and Hunter Teplansky lined a two-RBI single to right to increase the lead to six.

Team USA starter Cale Lansville was replaced by Timothy Williams after two innings, but the Stars bats kept pace. A double steal by Mayer and Walter Ahuna after a pair of singles put two runners in scoring position in the third, but a pair of strikeouts stopped the offense from adding on.

After a 1-2-3 inning in the fourth, Taylor exited. He allowed no runs on just two hits and two walks, striking out six.

After a leadoff walk by Crews, Mayer tripled deep in the right-center gap to drive in the first run of the fifth. Moller followed with a double to left to cash in Mayer from third, forcing a mid-inning change on the mound for Team USA.

A wild pitch, an error and a passed ball brought home another trio of runs before the end of the fifth, pushing the lead to double-digits.

The Stars let the first runs of the game score for Team USA in the sixth after a two-RBI triple by Brady House off of reliever Alex Edmonson. A passed ball brought home a third, making the score 10-3.

Moore drove in one more run in the sixth on a single to right to extend the lead to eight before Edmonson shut down the top of the seventh to give the Stars the win.

"To end this way is really good," Field Coordinator Eric Kibler said. "We saw a lot of things that we were working on during the week that they did very well in the game. I'm really pleased with this group. I think they have a good future, and I think our intent got accomplished."

USA Baseball Announces 2018 National Team Identification Series Selections

A total of 68 athletes were selected for 2019 national team programming from the 2018 NTIS

September 10, 2018

DURHAM, N.C. - USA Baseball announced on Wednesday the 68 athletes that were selected from the 2018 National Team Identification Series (NTIS) to participate in 2019 national team programming. The tenth-annual NTIS was held at the National Training Complex in Cary, North Carolina, from August 8-26 and for the tenth year in a row, the selection announcement was made through an online show.

Twenty-seven states and 16 regions from across the U.S. are represented by the 68 athletes chosen and fourteen states boast more than one selection.

Under the direction of USA Baseball task force, the 2018 NTIS featured over 1,200 of the nation's best players competing in 172 games, as well as skill testing and on-field evaluations. Twelve athletes were invited to compete at each of the 2019 12U National Team Trials, the 2019 14U, 16U and 17U National Team Development Programs (NTDP) and the 15U National Team Trials. In addition, eight players from the 17U NTIS were chosen to participate in the 2019 18U National Team selection process.

"Our task force had a difficult job selecting just 68 athletes out of the incredible pool of talent from across the U.S. that participated in this year's NTIS," Senior Director of Baseball Operations, Ashley Bratcher, said. "We are excited about the players chosen from the 2018 event and what they will bring to our 2019 national team programming."

The 2018 USA Baseball National Team Identification Series (NTIS) is the most comprehensive player identification program offered by Team USA. With tryouts in every region of the country, players now have greater access to USA Baseball National Team opportunities than ever before. The program includes six separate age groups - 11U, 13U, 14U, 15U, 15U and 17U.

The 2018 National Team Identification Series selections are as follows:

Stripes Overmatched By 15U National Team, Fall in Shutout

CARY, N.C. - In a one-sided affair on both sides, the USA Baseball 16U National Team Development Program Stripes squad fell to the 15U National Team, 7-0, at Coleman Field on Monday.

The Stripes failed to find a groove offensively, as Team USA's pitching allowed just one hit and one walk to the Stripes offense.

Dylan Crews put himself in scoring position in the first, doubling on a line drive to right, but was stranded at second after a Jordan Lawlar pop out and a Sam Hunt ground out.

After allowing three straight hits to begin the bottom of the frame, starter Rawley Hector bounced back nicely to minimize the damage. He was helped out on an outfield assist by centerfielder Petey Halpin with two away to keep the deficit at two early.

Hector found himself in trouble again in the second after the first two Team USA batters reached base safely. After getting the first two outs, Hector and shortstop Robert Moore successfully picked off Joe Brown at second, ending the inning.

Mario Bejarano came in to relieve Hector after 3.2 innings. Hector allowed three runs on seven hits and two walks, striking out three.

Bejarano got beat up a little in the fifth, allowing four runs on five hits, bringing the Team USA lead to seven.

Crews would manage to walk in the top of the seventh to represent the final Stripes baserunner, but at the end of the day the pitching was just too much for the offense to overcome.

"They were really mentally ready to come after us," Field Coordinator Eric Kibler said. "What we learned is you have to bring your A-level effort to every game. I think we're better than what we showed, although I give all the respect to them. They're a really good team. Hopefully the Stars can go out and get it done tomorrow."

The Stars will get their shot against the 15U National Team Tuesday with a matinee matchup at Coleman Field. First pitch is set for 11:30 a.m. PT, with a live stream of the contest on the USA Baseball Facebook page.

Stars Walk-off Stripes to Even Series

CARY, N.C. - In a back-and-forth game, the Stars came up with two runs in the bottom of the ninth to walk-off the Stripes, 4-3, at Field 3 of the National Training Complex on Sunday.

After taking a 3-2 lead in the ninth, a pair of errors allowed the final two runs to cross. The contest featured just eight hits combined between the two teams.

The Stripes almost put a run on the board in the top of the first, as a pair of two-out walks to Dylan Crews and Jordan Lawlar put traffic on the basepaths. Jesse Herrera singled up the middle, but Crews was thrown out at the plate by Petey Halpin.

In the bottom of the frame, the Stars put a pair of runners in scoring position, but Stripes starter Joe Dixon came up big, fanning Hunter Teplansky to end the threat.

Stars starter Philip Abner found trouble again in the second, as three walks and a hit-by-pitch with two outs allowed the first run of the game to cross.

Miles Halligan came in to replace Abner with two outs and the bases loaded in the third and got out of the inning after Tanner Witt got picked off at second on a ball that trickled passed catcher Jayden Melendez.

Dixon got through 3.0 innings for the Stripes, allowing no hits and no runs. He walked three and struck out two.

The Stars got on the board in the bottom of the fourth after Christian Moore doubled on a line drive to left, scoring Teplansky after a leadoff walk to tie the game.

The Stripes responded in the top of the fifth by loading the bases with one out. Jabin Trosky deposited a run, grounding into a fielder's choice before Rawley Hector grounded out to end the half with the score at 2-1.

After allowing the run in the fourth, Landen Looper got through the next two innings untouched. Looper allowed the one run on only two hits and two walks, striking out three.

Halligan did his best to match Looper, tossing 4.1 innings in relief, allowing just one run on one hit and two walks.

A Caleb Lomavita RBI-single added some insurance for the Stripes after another pair of two-out walks and a steal of third allowed the run to score easily, putting them up 3-1 late.

In the bottom, the Stars answered with a run with a pair of singles by Teplansky and Ian Moller. Christian Moore grounded out to shortstop Robert Moore with one away, allowing the run to score. Jonathon Cymrot lined a ball to right with two down looking to tie the game, but Matthew Bardowell made a stellar diving catch to save the Stripes lead going into the ninth.

After going down quietly in the top, the Stripes defense came out in the bottom behind Tanner Witt, who was seeking the save. A pair of walks allowed runners to reach, and when Lomavita threw the ball into right after Marcelo Mayer attempted to steal third, the tying run scored.

After another walk, Hunter Haas found himself too far off third. Lomavita short-hopped the throw to third. The ball bounced wildly and Haas came in for the walk-off victory to tie the series at 1-1.

"The players hung around and made some plays defensively when we needed them to to give us a chance at the end," Stars Manager Jayson King said. "Our guys stayed in it for nine innings and that's a good trait to have."

The 16U NTDP will be back in action Monday when the Stripes will take on the 15U National Team at Coleman Field. First pitch is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. ET. The game will be streamed live on the USA Baseball Facebook page.

Five-run First Helps Stripes Over Stars in Game 2

CARY, N.C. - In the inaugural action of the 2018 USA Baseball 16U National Team Development Program, the Stripes topped the Stars, 9-3, at Coleman Field at the USA Baseball National Training Complex on Saturday, giving them the 1-0 lead in the series.

A five-run first jumpstarted the Stripes effort, while runs in the fifth, sixth, and seventh innings helped to stymie any attempt at a comeback by the Stars.

Dylan Crews put Stripes on the board early in the first with a two-run home run to left after Reece Holbrook walked to lead off the inning. Jordan Lawler doubled to follow and was driven home by Sam Hunt on a single that was misplayed by the right fielder Roc Riggio. After advancing to third on the error, Kennedy Jones eventually drove him in. Jabin Trosky added to the lead after singling to bring home Tanner Witt.

Before the frame ended, Stars starter Hunter Barhart was replaced by Jonathan Cymrot, who inherited three baserunners. After striking out Holbrook for the second out, Jones was caught stealing after a wild pitch ricocheted kindly back to the catcher Moller, who tagged him out and held the Stripes lead at 5-0.

The Stars finally got to Stripes starter Matt Bardowell in the third, putting the first three batters on after an error, a single and a walk, respectively. But two consecutive strikeouts and a ground out ended the inning with no damage done.

Bardowell threw 3.0 innings in the start, allowing no runs on just two hits. He struck out three and walked one.

After Ian Moller doubled to open the fourth, he later came around to score from third after Riggio was caught trying to steal second, closing the gap to four.

In the fifth, the Stars scored again after a leadoff triple by Hunter Haas got the frame started. Hunter Teplansky drove Haas home on a ground ball single past the second baseman Robert Moore, making the score 5-2.

The Stripes finally got to Cymrot in the fifth. After three straight walks, Rawley Hector lined a two-RBI single to center, scoring Jordan Lawlar and Caleb Lomavita.

Nick Bitsko entered in relief and fanned the next two batters to shut down the threat.

After Bitsko gave up a pair of walks and a ground out to advance the runners in the sixth, a passed ball allowed Robert Moore to score, widening the gap to six.

The Stars got one back in the top of the seventh after Teplansky grounded out to second on a fielder's choice, scoring Christian Moore.

Hector added another run to the board in the bottom of the frame, crossing on a passed ball after reaching on a single earlier in the inning. That would be the final run of the contest.

Irving Carter came in to close the door, tossing the final three frames for the Stripes. Carter allowed just one run on three hits and one walk. He struck out four.

"They did really well," Field Coordinator Eric Kibler said. "I was impressed with their intensity, their mental focus and how physical they were. They really performed well the whole day."

The Stars will look to tie the series Sunday in Game 3 at Coleman Field. First pitch is slated for 4:30 p.m. ET.

Game 1 of 16U NTDP Cancelled Due to Rain

August 4, 2018

CARY, N.C. - Heavy rainfall forced Game 1 of the 2018 16U National Team Development Program to be cancelled Friday.

No make-up will be scheduled. Rather, Game 2 on Saturday and Game 3 on Sunday will now be played as nine-inning games instead of the previously scheduled seven-inning games. First pitch for Saturday's matchup between the Stars and Stripes is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. ET.

For live updates on everything 16U NTDP, be sure to follow @USABaseballNTDP on Twitter.

USA Baseball Names Inaugural 16U National Team Development Program Roster

16U NTDP will take place at the USA Baseball National Training Complex from August 3-7

July 13, 2018

DURHAM, N.C. - USA Baseball named the inaugural 16U National Team Development Program roster on Friday, following the conclusion of the National Team Championships in Arizona and Florida. The 16U NTDP will take place at the USA Baseball National Training Complex in Cary, North Carolina, August 3-7.

The National Team Development Program offers identified athletes an opportunity to connect with USA Baseball staff to better prepare for future national team experiences. The program includes skill development sessions, off-field education seminars and intrasquad Stars vs. Stripes games to assist in the development of the athletes as people and players.

"USA Baseball is excited to launch the 16U National Team Development Program, in 2018, with these 36 elite-level athletes," said Matt Blood, USA Baseball's Director of 18U National Team. "The addition of the 16U age level to our development process will help improve USA Baseball's reach and familiarity with future national team players. We have a great coaching staff and itinerary lined up for the week which should make for a memorable experience for all involved."

Players are selected for the National Team Development Program based on their participation and performance at USA Baseball events. Recommendations from professional scouts, USA Baseball task force members and collegiate, high school and youth coaches at USA Baseball events play a role in the selection process for the National Team Development Program.

The USA Baseball National Team Identification Series (NTIS) and the National Team Championships in Arizona and Florida served as the primary identification events for the 16U National Team Development Program. In total, 21 of the athletes on the roster are new to USA Baseball following their participation in sanctioned identification events.

Nine athletes on the 36-man roster are USA Baseball national team alumni, including six members of the 2017 15U National Team that won a gold medal at the COPABE Pan Am "AA" Championships in Cartagena, Colombia. Additionally, four athletes played on the 2014 12U National Team and nine have previously participated within the National Team Development Program at the 14U event in 2016. Infielder Robert Moore is making his fourth appearance with USA Baseball in 2018 after he was a member of the 12U and 15U national teams and the 14U NTDP.

Three-time USA Baseball national team coach and seven-time NTDP field coordinator, Eric Kibler, has been selected to serve as the 16U event's first-ever field coordinator in 2018. University of Dayton Head Coach Jayson King will join Kibler on staff as the manager of the Stripes team, while Bill Mosiello, who is currently the associate head coach at Texas Christian University, will manage the Stars team.

In addition to three intrasquad games, the 16U NTDP will face-off against the 2018 15U National Team on August 6 and 7 as the 15U team prepares for the World Baseball Softball Confederation U-15 Baseball World Cup in David, Panama. Both games will take place on Coleman Field at the USA Baseball National Training Complex and will be streamed live on USABaseball.com and USA Baseball's Facebook and YouTube pages.

Inaugural 16U National Team Development Program Staff Announced

Eric Kibler to serve as first-ever 16U NTDP field coordinator

May 2, 2018

DURHAM, N.C. - The staff for the inaugural 2018 16U National Team Development Program (NTDP) was revealed by USA Baseball on Wednesday. Three-time USA Baseball national team coach and seven-time NTDP field coordinator, Eric Kibler, has been selected to serve as the 16U event's first-ever field coordinator.

University of Dayton Head Coach Jayson King will join Kibler on staff as the manager of the Stripes team, while Bill Mosiello, who is currently the associate head coach at Texas Christian University, will manage the Stars team.

Coaches and evaluators will assess 36 athletes during the NTDP week and are made up of former professional players, respected collegiate and high school coaches and professional scouts.

Kibler, who recently finished his 36th season as the head coach at Horizon High School (Scottsdale, Ariz.), served as the field coordinator for the inaugural 14U and 17U NTDPs in 2012. He then reprised that role for the 14U NTDP in 2013 and 2014, and for the 17U NTDP in 2013, 2016 and 2017. Kibler led Horizon High School to six state titles, 17 regionals and three runner-up finishes in the state tournament since he started in 1981. On March 6, 2018, he earned his 800th win, making him the winningest coach in Arizona high school baseball history. In April, he was named a USA Baseball Sport Development contributor for 2018.

In addition, he helped to guide the 2009 and 2010 16U National Teams to first-place finishes at the International Baseball Federation World Youth Championships and the COPABE Pan American "AA" Youth Championships, respectively. He was also a member of the staff that led the 18U National Team to the 2015 World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) U-18 Baseball World Cup gold medal.

Gregg Ritchie, who has also been named to the 2018 18U National Team and 17U NTDP staffs, will join Kibler on staff as the lead hitting instructor during the event. Ritchie also previously served as a member of the 2017 18U National Team staff that led the stars and stripes to its fourth consecutive World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) U-18 Baseball World Cup gold medal.

Two-time USA Baseball alumnus and current Georgia Tech assistant coach, Eric Patterson, and Greg Brown, who is currently the head coach at Nova Southeastern University, will assist King as the position coaches for the Stripes. Hutchinson Community College Head Coach, Ryan Schmidt, will serve as the team's pitching coach.

Mosiello will be assisted on the Stars staff by Mayville State University Head Coach, Scott Berry, and Grambling State University Head Coach, James Cooper, who will serve as position coaches. In addition, Santa Clara University Head Coach, Rusty Filter, will lead the team's pitching staff.

USA Baseball will utilize a rolling invitation process for the 16U NTDP participants in 2018. The players will be selected from the 2017 USA Baseball National Team Identification Series (NTIS), the 2018 16U National Team Championships in Arizona and Florida, and through recommendations from scouts, coaches and the amateur baseball community.

The USA Baseball National Team Development Program offers athletes an opportunity to connect with USA Baseball staff to better prepare for future national team experience. The program includes skill development sessions, off-field education seminars, intrasquad Stars vs. Stripes games and exposure to professional scouts, college recruiters and the 18U National Team staff and task force.

The 2018 16U NTDP will take place August 4-7 at the USA Baseball National Training Complex in Cary, North Carolina.

Scott Berry has been at the helm of the Mayville State University baseball program for 36 years. In that time, Berry's teams have won 23 regular season conference championships (including 17 in a row from 1986-2002), 22 conference tournament championships, and have made 28 appearances in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) playoffs. He earned his 1,000th career win on April 18, 2016, and he holds a career record of 1,058-585-1 as a head coach. In 2002, Berry was inducted into the NAIA Hall of Fame for Baseball. 2018 will mark his first USA Baseball coaching experience.

Greg Brown is currently serving as the head coach at Nova Southeastern University. In 2016, he was named the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) Division II National Coach of the Year after leading his team to the program's first-ever NCAA Division II National Championship. Before his time with the Sharks, Brown worked as an assistant coach at Broward Community College and was an area scout for the Houston Astros. He also played minor league baseball for three years in the Miami Marlins organization. This is Brown's third coaching stint with USA Baseball. He previously served as a coach at the 2013 and 2014 Tournament of Stars.

Currently in his seventh season as the head coach at Grambling State University, James Cooper will make his USA Baseball coaching debut at the 16U National Team Development Program (NTDP). He started his career at GSU as a player before becoming an assistant coach and then taking over at the helm. As a head coach, he led the Tigers to a Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) championship in his first year. As a player, he was second team all-conference twice and received first-team All-SWAC honors after his senior campaign. He was selected in 33rd round of the 2004 MLB First-Year Player Draft by the Houston Astros.

Rusty Filter is in his first year as the head coach at Santa Clara University after serving as an associate head coach at Stanford University for eight years. He previously coached at the 2015 and 2016 Tournament of Stars. Filter, a graduate of San Diego State University, spent a combined 21 years as a student-athlete and coach for the Aztecs. During his time at Stanford and San Diego State, he tutored notable MLB pitchers such as Stephen Strasburg, Addison Reed and Mark Appel.

Eric Kibler recently finished his 36th season as the head coach at Horizon High School in Scottsdale, Arizona. In that time, he led the program to six state titles. In addition, Kibler won 17 regionals and had three runner-up finishes in the state tournament since he started in 1981. On March 6, 2018, he earned his 800th win with Horizon High School, making him the winningest coach in Arizona high school baseball history. Kibler has tutored 28 players that were selected in the MLB Draft and has seen over 150 of his players go on to play college baseball. Recently named a Sport Development contributor for 2018 by USA Baseball, Kibler has a long history with the organization that includes winning three gold medals. He helped to guide the 2009 and 2010 16U National Teams to first-place finishes at the International Baseball Federation World Youth Championships and the COPABE Pan American "AA" Youth Championships, respectively. He was also a member of the staff that led the 18U National Team to the 2015 World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) U-18 Baseball World Cup gold medal. In addition, he was also the field coordinator for the inaugural 14U and 17U National Team Development Programs (NTDP) in 2012. He then reprised that role for the 14U NTDP in 2013 and 2014, and for the 17U NTDP in 2013, 2016 and 2017.

Currently in his first year as the head coach at the University of Dayton, Jayson King returns to the National Team Development Program (NTDP) after first coaching at the 17U NTDP in 2013. He was also a member of the coaching staff for the 2014 18U National Team that won a gold medal in the 2014 COPABE Pan American "AAA" Championships. In addition, he coached at the 2014 Women's NTDP. Prior to his time at Dayton, he spent time coaching at Army and was the head coach at Franklin Pierce University for 18 years. In his time at Franklin Pierce, King led the Ravens to seven NCAA Regional appearances and seven trips to the NCAA Division II College World Series. Under the seven-time American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) Northeast Region Coach of the Year's tutelage, 25 Ravens were drafted in the MLB First-Year Player Draft.

TCU's Bill Mosiello is back in the USA Baseball coaching ranks in 2018 after helping to lead the 2017 18U National Team to its fourth consecutive World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) U-18 Baseball World Cup gold medal. Currently in his fifth season as the associate head coach and hitting coach for the Horned Frogs, he holds over 20 years of collegiate coaching experience and seven years of experience as a manager in the Minors League. He helped lead TCU to four consecutive College World Series appearances from 2014-2017 and under his guidance has led the Big 12 Conference in batting average for two of the last three seasons. Mosiello was also a manager in the Los Angeles Angels minor league system from 2009-2011, where he coached Mike Trout for nearly two seasons. He also spent four years coaching in the New York Yankees organization. Mosiello also coached USA Baseball Golden Spikes Award winner Phil Nevins while serving as an assistant coach under legendary coach Augie Garrido at Cal State Fullerton.

An alumnus of the 2002 and 2003 Collegiate National Team's, Eric Patterson is making his USA Baseball coaching debut in 2018. Currently in his first year as an assistant coach at Georgia Tech, Patterson played for the Yellow Jackets from 2002-2004 before being drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the eighth round of the 2004 MLB First-Year Player Draft. He made his Major League debut August 6, 2007, for the Cubs and also played for the Oakland Athletics, Boston Red Sox and San Diego Padres until 2011.

Gregg Ritchie will join the 16U National Team Development Program (NTDP) following stints with the 2016, 2017 and 2018 17U NTDP coaching staffs. In addition, he served as an assistant coach for the 2017 18U National Team. In that role, he helped lead Team USA to an undefeated record and a fourth consecutive World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) U-18 Baseball World Cup title. Under his direction, the team hit .273 and had a .418 slugging percentage, with 16 doubles, five triples and six home runs over nine games. He also served as a coach at the 2016 18U Trials. Ritchie is in his sixth season at the helm for George Washington University, where he was named Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year in 2013. That year, he led the Colonials to their first postseason berth since 2006 and then followed that with back-to-back postseason appearances in 2015 and 2016. He began his coaching career in the Chicago White Sox organization, where he worked at various levels for 10 years, before serving as the hitting coach for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2011 and 2012. Ritchie has also been named to the 2018 18U National Team staff.

Ryan Schmidt is the head coach at Hutchinson Community College. In 2017, Schmidt led his team to the highest national ranking in program history (No. 3). Prior to his time with the Blue Dragons, he was named Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference Coach of the Year while at Pratt Community College in 2012. Schmidt, who pitched at Kansas University from 1999-2000, has also coached at Barton Community College. 2018 marks Schmidt's fourth year in a row working with USA Baseball after he previously served on the Tournament of Stars staff in 2015, 2016 and 2017.

USA Baseball Announces Changes to National Team Championships, Addition of 16U NTDP

The changes include a new 16U age group at the National Team Championships

November 2, 2017

DURHAM, N.C. - USA Baseball announced on Thursday multiple changes to the National Team Championships, including the addition of a 16U age group at the annual event in Arizona, as well as the addition of a 16U National Team Development Program (NTDP) to the national team programming slate for 2018.

The 2018 National Team Championships in Arizona will start on June 15 and will now feature a 16U age group in addition to its 14U, 15U and 17U age groups. The 17U tournament will take place from June 15-22, followed by the 15U age group from June 22-29, and finally, the 14U and 16U tournaments will be played concurrently from June 30-July 7.

"We are excited to enhance the National Team Championships with the inclusion of the 16U age group starting in 2018," Senior Director of Baseball Operations Ashley Bratcher said, "Given USA Baseball's history with this age group, we know the talent is outstanding at this level, so we look forward to adding it to the already-elite National Team Championships player-pool."

USA Baseball had a long successful history at the 16U level through its 16U National Team, which competed from 1997-2011 before the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) changed its youth championships age discipline to 15U. In the fifteen-year history of the program, Team USA made it to the championship game of every international tournament it appeared in, taking home 11 gold medals - including nine in World Championships - and three silvers. In addition, eight of those teams went undefeated in international play.

In connection with the addition of a 16U age group at the National Team Championships, USA Baseball has also added a 16U discipline to its National Team Development Program for the 2018 season; providing national team-level opportunities to all youth players ages 14-18.

The 16U NTDP will feature athletes selected from the 15U National Team Identification Series (NTIS), the newly created 16U National Team Championships and through recommendations from professional scouts, USA Baseball task force members and collegiate, high school and youth coaches. Like the existing 14U and 17U NTDPs, the 16U program will invite 40 athletes to participate in skill development sessions, which include guest speakers/instructors and Stars vs. Stripes intrasquad games.

"The National Team Development Program provides an unparalleled national team-level experience and we're excited to expand that opportunity to players at the 16U age level," said Paul Seiler, Executive Director and CEO of USA Baseball. "This addition will also allow athletes to stay in touch with the USA Baseball organization between the national team age levels, developing their skills before possible consideration on a future national team.

"The exposure to future national team staffs, as well as college and professional scouts, the NTDP offers is invaluable for these athletes as they look to grow their game and compete internationally in the future."

At age levels where there are not international competitions, the National Team Development Program offers an unmatched developmental opportunity to better prepare athletes for potential future national teams and ingrain them in the USA Baseball organization. It also serves to help young players accelerate their maturation and readiness for the next step in their respective baseball careers.

Since the program's inception in 2012, 64 national team development program attendees have earned spots on national team rosters at the 15U, 18U and Collegiate national team levels. Additionally, in the five years that NTDP participants have been eligible, 21 players have been selected in the first five rounds of the MLB First Year Player Draft.

In addition to the changes at the National Team Championships in Arizona, the event in Florida will feature an enhanced schedule in 2018. The 14U, 15U and 17U tournaments will now be played in separate weeks, reducing the total number of days each age group will participate than in previous years however still providing teams the same amount of games.

The National Team Championships in Florida will also start on June 15 with its 15U tournament from June 15-20. The 17U age group will follow, competing from June 21-26, and the event will finish with the 14U age group, which will run from June 27-July 1.

For more information on the National Team Championships and the NTDP, check USABaseball.com and follow @USABChamps_East, @USABChamps_West and @USABaseballNTDP on Twitter. Registration for the 2018 National Team Championships will open on Friday, November 10.